Rival Libyan Factions Sign UN-Backed Deal Toward Delayed Elections

TRIPOLI, Libya — Representatives of Libya’s rival political factions have signed a United Nations-backed agreement aimed at paving the way for long-delayed presidential and legislative elections in the divided North African country.

The agreement was signed on Sunday at the headquarters of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in Tripoli, following months of talks held in Rome and Tunis. UNSMIL chief Hanna Tetteh attended the signing ceremony.

Under the agreement, Libya is expected to organise presidential and legislative elections within 24 months. However, the elections would have to take place under a single executive authority and unified national institutions conditions that have yet to be achieved.

Libya has remained politically divided since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi, with competing authorities and armed groups continuing to challenge efforts to establish a unified national government.

Rival Governments Remain at the Centre of Crisis

Two administrations currently claim political authority in Libya.

The UN-recognised government based in Tripoli is led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, while a rival administration in the east is backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar.

Dbeibah welcomed the latest agreement, describing it as an “important step”. The deal includes plans to restructure the High National Electoral Commission, the body responsible for organising elections.

Television channel al-Masar reported that Haftar also welcomed the development, saying it represented progress in addressing long-standing disputes that have prevented Libyans from moving towards presidential and parliamentary elections.

Tetteh similarly welcomed the agreement but stressed that the commitments must now be translated into concrete action.

“The signing of the agreement is an important development,” the UN mission's leadership has indicated, amid continued international efforts to end Libya's political deadlock.

Elections Delayed Since 2021

Libya's presidential and legislative elections were originally scheduled for December 2021 but were postponed indefinitely after political and legal disputes prevented authorities from agreeing on the rules governing the vote.

Among the unresolved issues have been disagreements over whether military personnel and dual nationals should be permitted to run for office, as well as whether presidential and parliamentary elections should be held simultaneously or separately.

The latest agreement seeks to address some of the institutional obstacles that have contributed to the prolonged political impasse.

In August 2025, the United Nations proposed a broader roadmap aimed at establishing a politically viable electoral framework, unifying state institutions and creating a new unified government.

The latest agreement forms part of wider international efforts to create the conditions necessary for credible elections and a stable political transition.

US Initiative Runs Alongside UN Efforts

The UN-backed agreement is separate from another diplomatic initiative led by Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser on Arab and African affairs.

Boulos’ initiative is focused on encouraging rapprochement between Libya’s eastern and western authorities and reducing the political divisions that have kept the country fragmented.

Despite the latest agreement, significant obstacles remain. The requirement for elections to be conducted under unified institutions means that Libya's rival political authorities will still need to resolve fundamental disputes over executive power and the structure of the state.

The coming months will therefore be critical in determining whether Sunday's agreement can translate into tangible political progress and ultimately deliver the national elections Libyans have awaited since the failed 2021 vote.